Purposeful Empathy with Anita Nowak

Watch this episode to learn how a father's lived experiences of trauma translated into more empathy.  Mark Cavallo is a professional empathy leadership coach. Four years ago, he experienced a series of traumatic events in short succession which catalyzed deep inner work. In this episode, Mark describes how post-traumatic growth changed the direction of his life and career, inspiring self-empa...

Watch this episode to learn how empathy training can revolutionize organizational culture - including in healthcare and law enforcement. Dr. Helen Riess is Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Director of Empathy Research and Training in Psychotherapy Research group in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. In this episode, she describes...

Watch this episode to understand why Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) training allows everyone in an organization to thrive.    Julie Savaria helps organizations launch or deepen their JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) strategy and programming. In this episode, she explains why JEDI is a human conversation first and foremost, but also good for business. &nb...

Watch this episode to learn why practicing erotic empathy has a positive impact on your sex life and overall wellbeing Amanda Luterman is a licensed psychotherapist and pioneer of “Erotic Empathy.” In this episode, she explains how erotic empathy encourages more gratifying sexual experiences, more deeply fulfilling relationships, and address an often neglected area of mental health. 00:00 Introduc...

Watch this episode to learn how quantum physics + empathy can raise our collective consciousness. Kathryn Pavlovich, a Professor of Strategic Management in New Zealand is passionate about global systems change. In this episode, she explains how principles of quantum physics can be leveraged to address the world’s empathy deficit. She also offers her thoughts on capitalism and how a new set of valu...

Watch this episode to learn how empathy can help end the stigma of mental illness. Jason Finucan, founder of StigmaZero, helps organizations manage mental health in the workplace. In this episode, he shares how he transitioned from battling his own mental illness to becoming a mental health advocate. He also offers practical advice to managers who want to create a zero-stigma workplace culture, es...

Watch this episode to learn how organizations are dynamic, self-organizing living systems. Michelle Holliday, author of The Age of Thrivability, helps organizations and the people who work in them thrive, by borrowing lessons from the natural world. In this episode, she describes the connection between thrivability and purposeful empathy and shares the potential that’s unleashed when leaders allow...

Watch this episode to learn how social pedagogy can help counter hate and the epidemic of “othering." Dr. Vivek Venkatesh is the UNESCO Co-Chair in Prevention of Radicalization and Violent Extremism at Concordia University. In this episode, he speaks about losing his cousin, Sukumar, to an act of terrorism, and how that event catalyzed some of deep inner work and continues to fuel his current pass...

Watch this episode to learn how to cultivate and practice empathy on social technology platforms. Kaitlin Ugolik Phillips is a journalist and the author of The Future of Feeling: Building Empathy in a Tech-Obsessed World. In this episode, she describes the challenges to empathy perpetuated by social technology and offers advice to users, creators, and managers of these platforms on how to imbue th...

Watch this episode to understand why empathy is fundamental to creativity. Mimi Nicklin is the host of a popular weekly podcast called Empathy for Breakfast and author of Softening the Edge , a book that argues empathy is humanity’s oldest leadership skill. In this episode, she describes what’s at stake in the face of our global empathy deficit and how empathy has the power to unlock our creativit...

Watch this episode to learn how a successful Hollywood producer has found joy - and success - flexing his empathy muscles. Serial pro-social entrepreneur, Peter Samuelson has always been ambitious about solving social problems. After 35 years of impact work, he’s brought shelter to the unhoused, helped foster kids get into college and brought joy into the lives of seriously ill children and their...

Watch this episode to be inspired by a fashion designer’s commitment to empathy. Kim Smiley is unapologetic about leveraging her fashion business to promote empathy. In this episode, Kim describes how an empathy experiment she conducted a few years ago went viral and shares how she’s woven together her two great passions - empathy and jewellery design - into her business. CONNECT WITH KIM: ✩ Websi...

Watch this episode to be inspired by the power of dialogue. One of the first women with a Muslim immigrant background to be elected to the Danish Parliament, Özlem Sara Cekic, is now General Secretary for Bridge Builders - Centre for Dialogue Coffee. In this episode, she recounts how she turned xenophobia on its head as an elected official by meeting her racist haters over coffee in their homes. A...

Watch this episode to be inspired by a Peruvian educator who believes we must empower children to be agents of change on behalf of Mother Earth, whose programs reach 2 million children in South America. Joaquín Leguia is an Ashoka Fellow, a masterful storyteller, and founder of ANIA, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating children about sustainable development. In this episode, he shares...

Watch this episode to be inspired by an educator who believes it’s possible to create a world where all humans, animals, and nature can thrive. Zoe Weil is the Co-Founder and President of the Institute for Humane Education. In this episode, she describes the difference between being a solutionary, activist and problem-solver. She also shares her vision for educating a generation of solutionaries....

Watch this episode to learn what a professional clown means by “the stunning beauty of imperfection.” Catherine Bryden is a Theater Clowning Facilitator. Narrating stories of different insightful realizations that came up for people after clowns performed their stories, Catherine relates empathy to clowning on microscopic levels. In this episode, she shares how clowning has empathy for all that hu...

Watch this episode to learn how to turn inward with self-compassion to boost motivation and productivity. Many believe self-compassion is selfish or soft. Psychology researcher, Kyla Brophy, debunks those myths and describes how tuning into our thoughts and feelings increases our effectiveness. In this episode, she also shares a powerful process for self-compassion and describes two ways in which...

Watch this episode to learn simple but powerful techniques for empathic listening. As a licensed psychologist, Co-Founder of Empathy Rocks, and AI researcher, Dr. Grin Lord is on a mission to bring humans closer together by training artificial intelligence to be more empathic. In this episode, she describes the positive impact of empathic listening on relationships. CONNECT WITH DR LORD: ✩ Website...

Watch this episode to understand how “empaths” experience the world. Based in Spain near Barcelona, Empathy Coach Meritxell Garcia describes the need for self-empathy - especially for highly sensitive people who have fewer filters to process sensory information and get easily overwhelmed by emotions. In this episode, she describes practices that help empaths navigate stimulus-overload and describe...

Watch this episode to break free from your “monkey brain,” become a better listener and improve your relationships. In addition to sharing how New Zealand’s Prime Minister has successfully led their nation through COVID, Dr. Wayne Duncan describes the power of “mindful empathy.” As co-author of a book by the same name, in this episode, he describes why we need an empathy revolution that begins wit...

Watch this episode if you want to know why we empathize with some animals more than others. Jim Wharton is the Director of Conservation Engagement & Learning at the Seattle Aquarium. In this episode, he explains how zoos and aquariums have evolved into spaces that cultivate empathy. He also describes how his aquarium collaborated on a children’s book called Catastrophe by the Sea - a story of...

Watch this episode to learn what it means to practice radical empathy and how to do it. Dr. Terri Givens is CEO of Brighter Higher Ed, a political scientist, and internationally recognized expert on comparative race politics, immigration and the radical right. In this episode, she explains why telling her family’s story in her new book Radical Empathy is a gift that she hopes will contribute to he...

Watch this episode if you believe films can build the #EmpathyGeneration. Ed Kirwan is high school teacher-turned-filmmaker and founder of Empathy Week . In this episode, he talks about his vision to empower a generation of young people to become empathic leaders through the power of films. This is a must-watch for educators everywhere. Listen to the audio version here: https://anchor.fm/anita-now...

For three years, Amy J. Wilson served as a White House Presidential Innovation Fellow, where she led a movement to create positive change in government. In this episode, she talks about her debut book, Empathy for Change, and describes why we should all embrace kindness if we want a better world. CONNECT WITH AMY ✩ LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyjwilson/ ✩ Website- https://www.amyjwilson...

Nilang Gor is a molecular biologist and founder of Cultivate Empathy for All who believes we need to stop linear thinking and practise systems thinking to solve our world’s most vexing problems. In this episode, he explains the importance of interdependence and having empathy for animals. CONNECT WITH NILANG ✩ Website:http://www.cultivateempathyforall.org/ CONNECT WITH ANITA ✩ Email - purposefulem...